church history

Forty-Four years ago Alonzo Adams Sr. was inspired by God to organize a church. At the first meeting, consisting of about ten people, several proposed names were suggested. New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church was finally selected by all present.

The first service was held on the second Sunday in March 1977 in the basement of the Pastor’s home, then located at 6026 Evergreen in Berkeley, Missouri. Services continued there for a few months and was soon blessed to hold services at the Kinloch YWCA. Moving there, the Pastor’s brother Robert (now deceased), began as the musician. At the YWCA many souls were added to the ministry.

Services continued at the YWCA for approximately six months then moved to a storefront location at Shreve and Carter in the City of St. Louis. It was there that the first pulpit furniture and organ were purchased. At that location the Lord added to the church, families from all nationalities and directions. As the church membership grew, there was no baptism pool at the storefront location but New Jerusalem was allowed to perform its baptisms at the Devotional Missionary Baptist Church in Kinloch, not far from where services were held at the YWCA.

It wasn’t long before the membership outgrew the building at Shreve and Carter. The Pastor then made the decision to sell his home on Evergreen and purchase the building were services were held at 1 Dade Avenue in the City of Ferguson, as well as the house next door at 3 Dade Avenue for his personal residence. On the move the church purchased a 15-passenger van and a church bus. A few months later the cornerstone was placed on the front of the building.

Soon the musical department grew. God blessed the Pastor’s children and nephew with musical talents. His younger son, Alan, played the piano and organ, eldest son, Alonzo Jr. started out on the drums, then nephew, Erick came as drummer and Alonzo Jr. began to play the guitar. Thus, the musical department was complete.

The church continues in its mission to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and meet the needs of the people spiritually, emotionally, and physically. We address their problems by teaching them how, through Kingdom living, God will supply their every need.

God was not through with us yet. The vision to build a new edifice was given to the Shepherd. This vision through much fasting, praying and above all, God’s grace, has now become a reality. First God allowed others to find favor in us and buildings in the community were donated to the church. These buildings were known drug houses and with the help of God these drug houses were shut down and the buildings located directly across from the church have been renovated and are now revenue-generating low-income family apartments. With this new revenue and pledges from faithful members, architectural drawings were purchased. With these drawings, financing was finally secured.

With all in place we broke ground in June, 2003 and in that first week in June the building began. Despite numerous obstacles on December 31, 2003 the first service was held to give God the praise for where He has brought us……..From Vision To Reality….”We’ve Come This Far By Faith” and “We Will Keep Pressing On” and “Keep Building By Faith”.